How Is the Character of Fagin Presented in
How Is the Character of Fagin Presented in "Oliver Twist"?
Fagin is the ringleader of a small group of thieves and pickpockets, and is introduced in the novel when the Artful Dodger aids Oliver, when he escapes to the city, and introduces him to Fagin.
Fagin seems to have quite a responsible attitude towards his band, being the leader. He possesses a very charismatic manner and uses terms of endearment (e.g. "my dear") towards everyone. However, he is not a person to anger, as he is also shown to have an intense rage when he is betrayed by Nancy.
The reader's first impression come from chapter 7, where Oliver accompanies the Artful Dodger into a murky and run-down house, where the Dodger presents Oliver to Fagin. The way Dickens describes Fagin, gives the reader the impression that Fagin is evil, and possibly the focal villain of the story. The portrayal of Fagin is an almost exact replica of the devil himself. He is described as having "matted red hair", which is associated with the devil's red fur; he also was cooking sausages, but Dickens depicted him doing so with a toasting fork, subtly connoting it with the devil's pitchfork.
In chapter 16, Dickens illustrates the scene and weather, and describes the Jew as "shrivelled", which was one of the adjectives he used to label his villains in his books. Dickens uses language very effectively to clarify the shadiness of Fagin's character. When Fagin left his hideout, he "obscures" his face, as if he has something to hide, and Dickens describes his hideout as a "den", which indicated that Fagin is a predatory character.
Dickens also uses the environment and the weather to create an atmosphere in the few paragraphs, which reflected on Fagin's personality. This technique is called pathetic fallacy. When Dickens says, "The mud lay thick...a black mist hung over the streets...everything felt cold and clammy to the touch", he states that this is the perfect environment for a villain such as Fagin. The description portrays Fagin as being a shady and gritty character, which he is. The depiction of iciness and dampness can also be associated with reptiles, as that is how they would be described from a person's perspective.
To expand on this point, Dickens used an extended metaphor in this paragraph, relating Fagin's movements and mannerisms to that of a snake. This is because a snake or reptile is considered to be a slimy and slippery character. For example, he says that he "glided stealthily" and was "creeping beneath the shelter of the walls and doorways".
In chapter 35, Dickens again uses language to portray a very evil character for Fagin. At first, he creates an atmosphere where the time of night is totally silent and muted, where even the most boisterous characters are asleep, as stated when he says, "profligacy and riot have staggered home to dream". This gives the reader a sense of eeriness. Dickens then satisfies this eerie feeling by giving a grotesque description of Fagin as he pondered with great rage within him, while simultaneously associating him with varying things of evil, for example, a "hideous phantom, moist from the ...
This is a preview of the whole essay
In chapter 35, Dickens again uses language to portray a very evil character for Fagin. At first, he creates an atmosphere where the time of night is totally silent and muted, where even the most boisterous characters are asleep, as stated when he says, "profligacy and riot have staggered home to dream". This gives the reader a sense of eeriness. Dickens then satisfies this eerie feeling by giving a grotesque description of Fagin as he pondered with great rage within him, while simultaneously associating him with varying things of evil, for example, a "hideous phantom, moist from the grave, and worried by an evil spirit".
In the next paragraph, Dickens portrayed Fagin's subtle actions as devious demeanour, as Fagin is shown to be wondering, but biting his "long, black nails" and revealing "fangs as should have been a dog's or a rat's". Thus, showing that Fagin is not human, but more of a creature.
Fagin also demonstrated a hint of suspicion, when Noah Claypole was sleeping on the floor, as he "sometimes directed his eyes for an instant" towards him. This shows that he does not trust anyone, and if Noah saw Fagin like this, then Noah may lose respect for Fagin, as he would see that Fagin is not as calm and collected as Noah once thought..
Another technique that Dickens uses to present Fagin's character is by the use of dialogue. Fagin makes sure that he ingratiates himself with other characters that he, potentially, needs. He comes across as a very amicable and polite gentleman. For example, when he first meets Oliver, he immediately greets him with a small curtsy, and shook his hand. When Fagin talks to other characters, his particularly identifiable mannerism is when he refers to other people as "my dear".
I think Dickens gave Fagin this sophisticated persona, to add to the menace and criminality of his character. It is ironic how a man depicted as a creature of hell or the devil from his first description, is given a personality of an upper class gentleman.
This menace is displayed very effectively in chapter 35, when Bill Sikes enters the room where Fagin is pondering his thoughts with great rage. As soon as Sikes enters, Fagin begins to tremble and shake with rage. He then grasps Sikes, and starts shouting at Noah to repeat what he had told Fagin. He was so infuriated that at one point "the foam flew from his lips". These moments were Fagin showing his true personality, that which he had hidden from the rest of the group. The real viciousness is shown when Fagin regains his composure in his voice, and tells Bill not to "be - too - violent". This coolness in his tone gives the reader the impression that is perfectly ok to be violent, and that Fagin deals with these immoral decisions frequently.
Fagin has many different relationships, with varying characters, and he holds different opinions on each of them.
Firstly, he had a very trusting relationship with Nancy. He praised her on numerous occasions, and called her "my dear" several times. For example, at the end of chapter 11, he says to the others, "Ah! She's a clever girl, my dears!" and once he hears that Oliver has been taken in by someone, he says to Nancy, "Nancy, my dear, I must have him found. I trust to you, my dear...for everything!"
Due to the fact that he had such a trusting relationship, he was most enraged by Nancy's betrayal, and was willing to perform or spur on others such extreme measures.
These facts tell the readers that Fagin is a very trusting character, once he allows someone within his inner circle. However, if he is betrayed, he becomes very animal, and can definitely be described as vengeful.
Secondly his relationship with Bill Sikes is quite odd. He subtly manipulates Bill, when he speaks to him, and has the ability to frustrate him. For instance, in chapter 11, when Bill talks to Fagin, Fagin manages to aggravate Bill by saying that if Oliver were to tell anyone about the band of thieves, himself and Bill would be dealt with as justice saw fit. He said to Bill, "if the game was up with us...it would come out rather worse for you than it would for me, my dear."
The fact that Fagin uses the words, "my dear", is for ironic purposes, and to frustrate Bill.
A second time Fagin manipulates Sikes, is when he subtly compels Sikes to kill Nancy, in chapter 35. This is when he says to Bill, "You won't be - too - violent, Bill?" but still had a definite rage in his eyes, which Bill observed, and was mutual.
I think Dickens intention with these particular points was to portray Fagin, not only as a criminal, but also as a manipulative individual who had the ability to influence others to do his bidding.
Also, when Fagin first meets Oliver, he was very cordial and well mannered. Which lulled Oliver into a false sense of security, as he thought that Fagin was a moral and decent person; but Fagin, through his small actions, and his tone, showed that he had more sinister intentions. For example, in chapter 8, when his pickpockets had come back with their trophies, Fagin was "glancing slyly at Oliver", before he conversed with the others.
However, when Oliver was arrested and taken in by Mr. Brownlow, Fagin became very concerned, as he did not trust Oliver because he could reveal everything about the band of thieves.
This shows that Fagin's character is capable of almost indoctrinating people, manipulating them to believe his field of work is acceptable. It also shows that he is very paranoid, which is also shown in chapter 16 when he leaves his den, and also these thoughts are shown in chapter 35, when he is pondering all of his thoughts.
The opinions other characters hold of Fagin are usually very different. Oliver himself first thought of Fagin as almost a fatherly figure. However, once he escaped and realised how iniquitous Fagin and his comrades were, the fact that Fagin was an indecent criminal became clear. Nancy soon holds the same opinion as Oliver later in the story, and betrays Fagin.
Both of these opinions of Fagin do not make me sympathise for him, because the way Dickens writes about Fagin is very biased and prejudiced, therefore makes sure that there is no way that the reader feels sorry for him.
Fagin's character is also presented by his actions and the narrative that Dickens has written. This is particularly in the chapter where Fagin recruits Noah Claypole to replace the Artful Dodger.
Firstly, when Fagin has heard a sensitive segment of the Claypoles' conversation, he came in amicably. However, he almost threatened Noah, until he explained that he was in a criminal trade as well. He used his charisma to recruit, however Dickens also inserted a few statements that displayed Fagin's true nature, such as the point where Noah had been recruited, and when Fagin bowed to Charlotte "with grotesque politeness". The adjective "grotesque" was used ironically by Dickens.
Fagin then used Noah to spy on Nancy. Noah was apprehensive at first, but Fagin managed to persuade him with the largest sum he's given on a job. This shows how paranoid Fagin can get. He suspects Nancy, but does not know if there is anything to suspect; however, he is willing to pay high amounts of money just to find out.
Another time where Fagin's character has been portrayed by his subtle actions is when he urged Sikes to kill Nancy subliminally. When Fagin told Bill not to be too violent, they exchanged a glance at each other, and both had a "fire in the eyes". It was only after this confirmation of rage within Sikes, did he unlock the door, and let him out, like a rabid dog.
At the end of the novel, Fagin is captured by the authorities, because in chapter 37, Toby Crackit asks Chitling, "when was Fagin took then?". Noah was also captured. However, another piece of evidence that Fagin had been arrested was that Noah was pardoned of his crimes because he testified against Fagin.
It is also quite safe to conclude that Fagin was hung. For one, such as Fagin, in contemporary London, with the many crimes he has committed, would be executed, almost definitely by hanging.
Dickens portrayal of Fagin as a Jew, tells me that contemporary prejudices were against Jews. In the eyes of Dickens and the contemporary readers and audiences, Jews were the quintessence of evil and avariciousness. The persistent reference to Fagin as "the Jew" can be seen as his negative qualities are linked to his ethnicity.
Oliver Twist is a book where there is good and evil. Oliver encounters many confrontations with evil, but none so large an evil as Fagin. Dickens has made sure, through the use of language, Fagin's mannerisms, irony and contemporary prejudices, to create a character so grotesque, manipulative and immoral, that Fagin has become the epitome of sin.